Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthrosis, and hallux rigidus with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsal joint of the left great toe. The veteran's left knee condition was found to be unrelated to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right thumb injury, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability are not established. The claim for service connection for right wrist disability is pending.,Pending issues include the establishment of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cervical discectomy with radiculopathy of the upper right extremity, bilateral hearing loss, and tremors of the lower extremities. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for cervical spine disability, and that there was no current evidence linking the veteran's hearing loss or tremors to service.

The Board has determined that the VA did not properly advise the veteran of the VCAA and there are other reasons for remanding the case, including a need for a thorough VA examination to determine the severity of the service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's enlarged liver, vocal cord disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and vision loss were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to procedural defects in the notification provided under the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bleeding of the left ear and increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss, as well as his initial evaluation for PTSD prior to July 18, 2001. The claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD after July 18, 2001 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, scar on the back of the neck, and scar on the left forearm were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also not related to his period of service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in the left ear does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a disability rating in excess of zero percent, based on audiometric test results.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability on and after February 17, 2004. The issue of a compensable evaluation prior to that date remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant a higher rating. The bilateral high frequency hearing loss is also currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board is remanding the case due to incomplete development and notification requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of in-service treatment for diabetes mellitus or bilateral hearing loss, and the veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are not related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of a left tympanic membrane with purulent otitis, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and denied any increase in evaluation for tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids. The veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. His hemorrhoids are currently evaluated at 10%.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss, basal cell carcinoma of the nose, vocal cord polyps, and throat cancer were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board denied all claims for service connection.